AP Singh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, said on Tuesday that the nation's defence system, dubbed Sudarshan Chakra, will be both a spear and sheild. Addressing the press at the Air Headquarters in New Delhi, he highlighted the integration of advanced air defence capabilities into India's evolving security framework.&nbsp;"The Sudarshan Chakra is not merely a defensive barrier; it represents a dynamic, integrated ecosystem that will seamlessly fuse our existing assets like the S-400 systems with next-generation indigenous interceptors under Project Kusha," said Air Chief Marshal Singh.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/hindu-mythology-and-cosmology-in-indian-weapons-army-navy-air-force-assets-from-agni-missile-to-sudarshan-chakra-defence-system-what-it-means-1755941083305">From Agni to Sudarshan Chakra: Hindu mythology and Indian cosmology in names of missiles, defence systems and assets of navy, army, air force</a><h2>What is Sudarshan Chakra?</h2>Mission Sudarshan Chakra is India's ambitious indigenous multi-layered air and missile defence shield announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in during his Independence Day adress on August 15.&nbsp;IAF chief Singh said the defence system would enhance the IAF's operational readiness.&nbsp;He noted that during Operation Sindoor (India's response to Pakistan-based terrorists behind the Pehalgam attack) earlier this year, India's air defences, including the S-400, successfully neutralised over five Pakistani fighter aircraft and a high-value special mission platform at extended ranges up to 300 km.He mentioned that S-400 is affectionately called Sudarshan Chakra within the IAF.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/war-at-the-speed-of-light-why-india-must-build-the-sudarshan-chakra-now-1756569412399">War at the speed of light: Why India must build the Sudarshan Chakra NOW</a><h2>Sudarshan Chakra, the shield and spear</h2>Highlighting the defence system's dual defensive-offensive nature, Singh said that IAF is committed to achieving full operational deployment of Sudarshan Chakra Phase-1 by 2028-29. "As we accelerate Mission Sudarshan Chakra, it will evolve into a 'shield and spear' capability," Singh said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indo-pak-war-what-is-s-400-sudarshan-chakra-decoding-its-strategic-significance-wion-explained-9050244/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/indo-pak-war-what-is-s-400-sudarshan-chakra-decoding-its-strategic-significance-wion-explained-9050244/embed</a>This would ensure that any aerial incursion is met with precision interception and immediate counter-offensive strikes, safeguarding our skies for decades to come, he added.The mission is expected to be rolled out in two phases through 2035.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/towards-mission-sudarshan-chakra-why-india-s-successful-test-of-integrated-air-defence-weapon-system-matters-1756117089189">Towards Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Why India’s successful test of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System matters</a><h2>Sudarshan Chakra: Indigenous defence inspired by Indian mythology</h2>The term "Sudarshan Chakra" refers to the divine discus weapon of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. In epics like the Mahabharata, it symbolises an unstoppable, precision-guided tool of protection and retribution. The Sudarshan Chakra can orbit endlessly, targeting enemies with accuracy, and returning to the finger of Lord Vishnu after the mission.

India's Sudarshan Chakra is an indigenous multi-layered air and missile defence system, combining advanced tech for shield and spear capabilities, inspired by Hindu mythology. As per Indian Air Force chief, its first phase will be operational by 2028-29.



AP Singh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, said on Tuesday that the nation's defence system, dubbed Sudarshan Chakra, will be both a spear and sheild. Addressing the press at the Air Headquarters in New Delhi, he highlighted the integration of advanced air defence capabilities into India's evolving security framework. "The Sudarshan Chakra is not merely a defensive barrier; it represents a dynamic, integrated ecosystem that will seamlessly fuse our existing assets like the S-400 systems with next-generation indigenous interceptors under Project Kusha," said Air Chief Marshal Singh. Also read: From Agni to Sudarshan Chakra: Hindu mythology and Indian cosmology in names of missiles, defence systems and assets of navy, army, air force What is Sudarshan Chakra? Mission Sudarshan Chakra is India's ambitious indigenous multi-layered air and missile defence shield announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in during his Independence Day adress on August 15. IAF chief Singh said the defence system would enhance the IAF's operational readiness. He noted that during Operation Sindoor (India's response to Pakistan-based terrorists behind the Pehalgam attack) earlier this year, India's air defences, including the S-400, successfully neutralised over five Pakistani fighter aircraft and a high-value special mission platform at extended ranges up to 300 km. He mentioned that S-400 is affectionately called Sudarshan Chakra within the IAF. Also read: War at the speed of light: Why India must build the Sudarshan Chakra NOW Sudarshan Chakra, the shield and spear Highlighting the defence system's dual defensive-offensive nature, Singh said that IAF is committed to achieving full operational deployment of Sudarshan Chakra Phase-1 by 2028-29. "As we accelerate Mission Sudarshan Chakra, it will evolve into a 'shield and spear' capability," Singh said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/indo-pak-war-what-is-s-400-sudarshan-chakra-decoding-its-strategic-significance-wion-explained-9050244/embed This would ensure that any aerial incursion is met with precision interception and immediate counter-offensive strikes, safeguarding our skies for decades to come, he added. The mission is expected to be rolled out in two phases through 2035. Also read: Towards Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Why India’s successful test of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System matters Sudarshan Chakra: Indigenous defence inspired by Indian mythology The term "Sudarshan Chakra" refers to the divine discus weapon of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. In epics like the Mahabharata, it symbolises an unstoppable, precision-guided tool of protection and retribution. The Sudarshan Chakra can orbit endlessly, targeting enemies with accuracy, and returning to the finger of Lord Vishnu after the mission.

India's Sudarshan Chakra is an indigenous multi-layered air and missile defence system, combining advanced tech for shield and spear capabilities, inspired by Hindu mythology. As per Indian Air Force chief, its first phase will be operational by 2028-29.&nbsp;

Sudarshan Chakra will be 'shield and spear': Air Chief Marshal AP Singh reveals timeline of India's own 'Iron Dome' defence system deployment

The age of fighting one enemy at a time is over. Gone are the days when our defence systems could track a single missile, aim at it, and shoot it down in peace. Today's battlefield is like a video game on steroids, enemies attack from everywhere at once.<h2>The Old Way vs The New Reality</h2>Earlier, our defence was simple. See the missile, lock on target, fire. This worked when enemies sent one or two missiles at a time.But now? Imagine facing a swarm of drones, cyber hackers trying to crash our systems, missiles coming from space, and electronic jammers all attacking together. Our old systems would be like using a single security guard to handle a riot.This is exactly why Prime Minister Modi's vision of India's&nbsp;Sudarshan Chakra defence system&nbsp;makes perfect sense. Just like&nbsp;Lord Krishna's divine weapon&nbsp;that could strike multiple enemies simultaneously, India needs a defence shield that can handle multiple threats at once.<h2>What Makes Modern Warfare So Dangerous?</h2>Think of it this way: if earlier warfare was like chess, one move at a time, today's warfare is like playing chess, carrom, and video games all at once while someone is trying to hack your phone.Countries like China and Pakistan are not going to send just missiles anymore. They will combine:<ul><li>Swarms of cheap drones&nbsp;(like the ones we saw in Ukraine)</li><li>Super-fast hypersonic missiles&nbsp;that travel at 5 times the speed of sound</li><li>Cyber attacks&nbsp;to shut down our power grids and communication</li><li>Electronic jamming&nbsp;to blind our radars</li><li>Attacks from space&nbsp;satellites</li></ul><h2>Speed is Life in Modern Defence</h2>The biggest challenge?&nbsp;Speed. Modern weapons are so fast that by the time a human operator sees the threat, decides what to do, and gives orders to fire back, the enemy missile has already hit its target. This is where&nbsp;Artificial Intelligence (AI)&nbsp;comes in. Just like how your smartphone automatically focuses the camera and adjusts brightness before you even click, our defence systems need AI that can&nbsp;spot threats, decide the best response, and fire back – all in milliseconds. The&nbsp;Pentagon in America&nbsp;has realized this too. In April 2025, they called for urgent use of AI in defence, admitting that&nbsp;human reaction time is too slow&nbsp;for modern threats.<h2>India's Sudarshan Chakra Vision</h2>PM Modi's concept of&nbsp;Sudarshan Chakra&nbsp;is brilliant because it understands this new reality. Like the mythical weapon that could:<ul><li>Attack multiple enemies at once</li><li>Change direction mid-flight</li><li>Return to its owner</li><li>Never miss its target</li></ul>India's defence system needs to be equally&nbsp;smart and flexible.<h2>What This Means Practically</h2>Instead of having separate systems for different threats, India is building an&nbsp;integrated shield&nbsp;that includes:<ol><li>Space-based sensors&nbsp;that can spot threats from outer space</li><li>AI-powered radars&nbsp;that can track hundreds of objects simultaneously</li><li>Cyber defence units&nbsp;protecting our digital infrastructure</li><li>Electronic warfare capabilities&nbsp;to jam enemy communications</li><li>Multiple layers of interceptors&nbsp;– from small drones to big missiles</li></ol><h2>Learning from Global Examples</h2>The&nbsp;U.S. Space Force&nbsp;has been upgrading its systems since June 2025, opening&nbsp;new space operation centers&nbsp;that act like mission control rooms, connecting space satellites with ground-based weapons in real-time.Israel's Iron Dome, while excellent for short-range rockets, cannot meet India's larger challenge. We need protection against&nbsp;China's hypersonic missiles,&nbsp;Pakistan's conventional weapons, and potential&nbsp;cyber attacks from anywhere in the world.<h2>The Technology Behind the Shield</h2>The key technologies that make this possible are:Artificial Intelligence (AI):&nbsp;Like having thousands of chess grandmasters working together, AI can calculate millions of possible threat scenarios and choose the best response in split seconds.Digital Twins:&nbsp;These are computer copies of our entire defence system. Engineers can test "what if" scenarios – like what happens if 100 drones attack Mumbai while missiles target Delhi – without actually facing the real threat.Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE):&nbsp;This is like having a master blueprint that shows how every piece of equipment should work together, from the satellite in space to the missile launcher on the ground.<h2>Challenges We Must Overcome</h2>Building this system is not easy. The biggest challenges are:<ol><li>Integration:&nbsp;Making sure systems built by different companies and countries can talk to each other</li><li>Speed:&nbsp;Reducing the time between detecting a threat and neutralizing it</li><li>Resilience:&nbsp;Ensuring the system works even if some parts are damaged or hacked</li><li>Cost:&nbsp;Building something advanced yet affordable for India's budget</li></ol><h2>Why This Matters for Every Indian</h2>This is not just about military strategy. A strong defence shield means:<ul><li>Better protection for our cities and people</li><li>Confidence for foreign investors and businesses</li><li>Stronger position in international negotiations</li><li>Peace of mind for families living near borders</li></ul><h2>The Road Ahead</h2>India is on the&nbsp;right track. Our&nbsp;space agency ISRO,&nbsp;defence research organization DRDO, and private companies like&nbsp;Tata and Mahindra&nbsp;are all working together. The government has also opened up defence manufacturing to private companies, bringing in fresh ideas and competition.But we need to&nbsp;move faster. Our enemies are not waiting, and technology changes every day. The next five years will decide whether&nbsp;India becomes a global defence technology leader&nbsp;or remains dependent on others.<h2>Conclusion</h2>The&nbsp;Sudarshan Chakra&nbsp;was not just a weapon – it was a symbol of&nbsp;justice, protection, and divine intervention&nbsp;when needed most. PM Modi's vision of India's defence system carrying this name is both&nbsp;inspiring and practical. In today's world, the biggest security threat is not just&nbsp;enemy missiles, but our own&nbsp;slow thinking and outdated systems. By building a truly&nbsp;integrated, AI-powered, multi-domain defence system, India can ensure that like&nbsp;Lord Krishna's divine chakra, our protection will be&nbsp;swift, sure, and always on target. The time for half-measures is over.&nbsp;India's Sudarshan Chakra must be built now, built right, and built to win.

Modern warfare has shifted from single-target defences to complex threats. Nations now face swarms of drones, cyberattacks, space missiles and jammers simultaneously, overwhelming old systems designed for simpler, one-on-one battles.

The age of fighting one enemy at a time is over. Gone are the days when our defence systems could track a single missile, aim at it, and shoot it down in peace. Today's battlefield is like a video game on steroids, enemies attack from everywhere at once. The Old Way vs The New Reality Earlier, our defence was simple. See the missile, lock on target, fire. This worked when enemies sent one or two missiles at a time. But now? Imagine facing a swarm of drones, cyber hackers trying to crash our systems, missiles coming from space, and electronic jammers all attacking together. Our old systems would be like using a single security guard to handle a riot. This is exactly why Prime Minister Modi's vision of India's Sudarshan Chakra defence system makes perfect sense. Just like Lord Krishna's divine weapon that could strike multiple enemies simultaneously, India needs a defence shield that can handle multiple threats at once. What Makes Modern Warfare So Dangerous? Think of it this way: if earlier warfare was like chess, one move at a time, today's warfare is like playing chess, carrom, and video games all at once while someone is trying to hack your phone. Countries like China and Pakistan are not going to send just missiles anymore. They will combine: Swarms of cheap drones (like the ones we saw in Ukraine) Super-fast hypersonic missiles that travel at 5 times the speed of sound Cyber attacks to shut down our power grids and communication Electronic jamming to blind our radars Attacks from space satellites Speed is Life in Modern Defence The biggest challenge? Speed. Modern weapons are so fast that by the time a human operator sees the threat, decides what to do, and gives orders to fire back, the enemy missile has already hit its target. This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) comes in. Just like how your smartphone automatically focuses the camera and adjusts brightness before you even click, our defence systems need AI that can spot threats, decide the best response, and fire back – all in milliseconds. The Pentagon in America has realized this too. In April 2025, they called for urgent use of AI in defence, admitting that human reaction time is too slow for modern threats. India's Sudarshan Chakra Vision PM Modi's concept of Sudarshan Chakra is brilliant because it understands this new reality. Like the mythical weapon that could: Attack multiple enemies at once Change direction mid-flight Return to its owner Never miss its target India's defence system needs to be equally smart and flexible. What This Means Practically Instead of having separate systems for different threats, India is building an integrated shield that includes: Space-based sensors that can spot threats from outer space AI-powered radars that can track hundreds of objects simultaneously Cyber defence units protecting our digital infrastructure Electronic warfare capabilities to jam enemy communications Multiple layers of interceptors – from small drones to big missiles Learning from Global Examples The U.S. Space Force has been upgrading its systems since June 2025, opening new space operation centers that act like mission control rooms, connecting space satellites with ground-based weapons in real-time. Israel's Iron Dome, while excellent for short-range rockets, cannot meet India's larger challenge. We need protection against China's hypersonic missiles, Pakistan's conventional weapons, and potential cyber attacks from anywhere in the world. The Technology Behind the Shield The key technologies that make this possible are: Artificial Intelligence (AI): Like having thousands of chess grandmasters working together, AI can calculate millions of possible threat scenarios and choose the best response in split seconds. Digital Twins: These are computer copies of our entire defence system. Engineers can test "what if" scenarios – like what happens if 100 drones attack Mumbai while missiles target Delhi – without actually facing the real threat. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): This is like having a master blueprint that shows how every piece of equipment should work together, from the satellite in space to the missile launcher on the ground. Challenges We Must Overcome Building this system is not easy. The biggest challenges are: Integration: Making sure systems built by different companies and countries can talk to each other Speed: Reducing the time between detecting a threat and neutralizing it Resilience: Ensuring the system works even if some parts are damaged or hacked Cost: Building something advanced yet affordable for India's budget Why This Matters for Every Indian This is not just about military strategy. A strong defence shield means: Better protection for our cities and people Confidence for foreign investors and businesses Stronger position in international negotiations Peace of mind for families living near borders The Road Ahead India is on the right track. Our space agency ISRO, defence research organization DRDO, and private companies like Tata and Mahindra are all working together. The government has also opened up defence manufacturing to private companies, bringing in fresh ideas and competition. But we need to move faster. Our enemies are not waiting, and technology changes every day. The next five years will decide whether India becomes a global defence technology leader or remains dependent on others. Conclusion The Sudarshan Chakra was not just a weapon – it was a symbol of justice, protection, and divine intervention when needed most. PM Modi's vision of India's defence system carrying this name is both inspiring and practical. In today's world, the biggest security threat is not just enemy missiles, but our own slow thinking and outdated systems. By building a truly integrated, AI-powered, multi-domain defence system, India can ensure that like Lord Krishna's divine chakra, our protection will be swift, sure, and always on target. The time for half-measures is over. India's Sudarshan Chakra must be built now, built right, and built to win.

Modern warfare has shifted from single-target defences to complex threats. Nations now face swarms of drones, cyberattacks, space missiles and jammers simultaneously, overwhelming old systems designed for simpler, one-on-one battles.

War at the speed of light: Why India must build the Sudarshan Chakra NOW

The prime minister’s bombshell announcement in his Independence Day speech promises a homegrown missile dome and jet engines to transform India into a global defence export giant. In a rousing Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped two major defence bombshells that could reshape India’s military landscape and attract billions in investment to defence stocks.&nbsp;The centrepiece announcement of ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’—named after Lord Krishna’s celestial spinning disc—is a comprehensive missile defence system that Modi promised would create an impenetrable dome over India by 2035. Think of it as India’s answer to Israel’s famous Iron Dome, but with a distinctly Indian flavour and ambition.<h2>Beyond just stopping missiles</h2>&nbsp;Unlike traditional missile shields, Modi’s vision extends far beyond intercepting incoming threats. The Sudarshan Chakra system will weave together cutting-edge surveillance technology, robust cybersecurity defences, and precision strike-back capabilities into one unified protective umbrella covering both military installations and civilian areas.&nbsp;The timing couldn’t be more significant. This announcement comes just weeks after Pakistan’s military chief reportedly threatened to target major Indian assets, including Reliance’s massive Jamnagar refinery, in any future conflict. It also follows recent terror attempts that Indian defences successfully thwarted, proving the system’s necessity.&nbsp;<h2>The jet engine challenge</h2>&nbsp;Modi’s second major call to action targeted India’s decades-old Achilles heel—jet engines. Despite launching the ambitious Kaveri engine programme nearly four decades ago, India still relies heavily on foreign suppliers for this critical technology. The Prime Minister’s direct appeal to young engineers and scientists reflects growing frustration with delays in partnerships with US giant GE Aerospace, which have pushed back delivery schedules for India’s indigenous Tejas fighter jets.&nbsp;<h2>Record-breaking defence boom</h2>&nbsp;The ambitious announcements come as India’s defence sector hits unprecedented heights. Defence production soared to ₹1.5 lakh crore in the past financial year—an 18% jump from the previous year and nearly double the 2019-20 figures. More impressively, defence exports rose to ₹23,622 crore, with international demand surging particularly for the BrahMos missile system after its demonstrated effectiveness in recent operations.&nbsp;<h2>The $6 billion export target</h2>&nbsp;The government has set its sights on reaching ₹50,000 crore (roughly $6 billion) in annual defence exports by 2029. This ambitious target positions India to become a major player in the global arms market, moving from defence importer to exporter.&nbsp;For investors, these announcements signal potential goldmine opportunities in defence stocks, as Modi’s vision requires massive public and private sector collaboration. The mission promises to harness India’s growing pool of technical talent while creating thousands of high-skilled jobs in the defence manufacturing sector.&nbsp;The Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech essentially threw down the gauntlet—transform India from a defence equipment buyer into a self-reliant military technology powerhouse that exports cutting-edge weapons worldwide. With the 2035 deadline, the clock is now ticking on one of India’s most ambitious military modernisation projects ever conceived.

The Sudarshan Chakra system will weave together cutting-edge surveillance technology, robust cybersecurity defences, and precision strike-back capabilities into one unified protective umbrella covering both military installations and civilian areas.

The prime minister’s bombshell announcement in his Independence Day speech promises a homegrown missile dome and jet engines to transform India into a global defence export giant. In a rousing Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dropped two major defence bombshells that could reshape India’s military landscape and attract billions in investment to defence stocks. The centrepiece announcement of ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’—named after Lord Krishna’s celestial spinning disc—is a comprehensive missile defence system that Modi promised would create an impenetrable dome over India by 2035. Think of it as India’s answer to Israel’s famous Iron Dome, but with a distinctly Indian flavour and ambition. Beyond just stopping missiles Unlike traditional missile shields, Modi’s vision extends far beyond intercepting incoming threats. The Sudarshan Chakra system will weave together cutting-edge surveillance technology, robust cybersecurity defences, and precision strike-back capabilities into one unified protective umbrella covering both military installations and civilian areas. The timing couldn’t be more significant. This announcement comes just weeks after Pakistan’s military chief reportedly threatened to target major Indian assets, including Reliance’s massive Jamnagar refinery, in any future conflict. It also follows recent terror attempts that Indian defences successfully thwarted, proving the system’s necessity. The jet engine challenge Modi’s second major call to action targeted India’s decades-old Achilles heel—jet engines. Despite launching the ambitious Kaveri engine programme nearly four decades ago, India still relies heavily on foreign suppliers for this critical technology. The Prime Minister’s direct appeal to young engineers and scientists reflects growing frustration with delays in partnerships with US giant GE Aerospace, which have pushed back delivery schedules for India’s indigenous Tejas fighter jets. Record-breaking defence boom The ambitious announcements come as India’s defence sector hits unprecedented heights. Defence production soared to ₹1.5 lakh crore in the past financial year—an 18% jump from the previous year and nearly double the 2019-20 figures. More impressively, defence exports rose to ₹23,622 crore, with international demand surging particularly for the BrahMos missile system after its demonstrated effectiveness in recent operations. The $6 billion export target The government has set its sights on reaching ₹50,000 crore (roughly $6 billion) in annual defence exports by 2029. This ambitious target positions India to become a major player in the global arms market, moving from defence importer to exporter. For investors, these announcements signal potential goldmine opportunities in defence stocks, as Modi’s vision requires massive public and private sector collaboration. The mission promises to harness India’s growing pool of technical talent while creating thousands of high-skilled jobs in the defence manufacturing sector. The Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech essentially threw down the gauntlet—transform India from a defence equipment buyer into a self-reliant military technology powerhouse that exports cutting-edge weapons worldwide. With the 2035 deadline, the clock is now ticking on one of India’s most ambitious military modernisation projects ever conceived.

The Sudarshan Chakra system will weave together cutting-edge surveillance technology, robust cybersecurity defences, and precision strike-back capabilities into one unified protective umbrella covering both military installations and civilian areas.

A shield for a billion people: Modi’s audacious vision for national security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of an indigenous air-defence system project aimed at safeguarding India’s key military and civilian assets. The system is designed to deliver a swift and decisive response to hostile threats, addressing growing security concerns posed by Pakistan and China.


PM Modi Launches Sudarshan Chakra Project to Strengthen India’s Defence 

Mission Sudarshan Chakra: What Is It And How Is It Different From Israel's Iron Dome 

Beyond poetic metaphor, they raise an unsettling question: could ancient civilisations have known secrets of destruction and control far beyond what we understand today?

Myth or lost tech? Brahmastra, Sudarshan Chakra and 7 ancient weapons science still can’t explain!